Alexandria, VA — What would it take for millions of Americans to make the switch from traditional gasoline-powered cars to natural gas vehicles (NGVs)? In what seems like a replay of a bad 1970s movie — with high oil prices, prominent energy security risks and fluctuating emissions and regulations — Americans are looking for alternatives to gasoline. EARTH magazine put NGVs to the test in the November issue. Author Castlen Kennedy buckled up for the ride of her life as she and some of her colleagues conducted a 10-day, 4,200-kilometer-long, cross-country trip in a natural gas powered SUV to gain firsthand exposure to the benefits and downfalls of natural gas vehicles. [Read More]

ALEXANDRIA, VA — Haboobs, giant dust storms, walloped Arizona last summer — some close to 2 kilometers high and 160 kilometers wide — knocking out electricity, creating traffic jams, and grounding airplanes. Even old-timers say they can’t remember anything quite like this year’s aerial assaults. Meanwhile, Texas is experiencing one of the most extreme droughts in recent history, with almost 90 percent of the state in the most extreme level of drought. [Read More]

The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has launched an online professional development guide for workshops on NASA geoscience, technology, engineering and mathematics content. The official launch of the NASA Triad web site will be on Tuesday, Nov. 8, 2011, but an early preview is now available. The web site (http://www.agiweb.org/education/NASA/) is a valuable resource for anyone that is planning a STEM-based workshop for teachers, and that is leveraging NASA resources. The project is expected to increase use of NASA’s STEM content in secondary classrooms nationwide. [Read More]

The American Geosciences Institute has released a new Geoscience Currents that examines the choices by geoscience students when provided up to five free memberships in geoscience societies. Data from 2009-2011 is presented showing trends in student preferences and/or influences from advisors. AGI’s Geoscience Currents provide snapshots of helpful data regarding current trends and the status of the geoscience discipline. A copy or Geoscience Currents #54 can be downloaded at http://www.agiweb.org/workforce/Currents/Currents-054-GeoConnectionRecruitmentPacket: [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Geoscience careers encompass a diverse set of opportunities that appeal to a wide range of individuals. Geoscientists work all over the planet—in all possible work environments—in support of stewardship of the Earth. The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) has created a series of educational brochures and career guides to inspire the next generation of geoscientists. These materials answer the question, “why geoscience?” and shed light on the positive job environment in this difficult economic climate. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - Does someone you know teach Earth science to students between kindergarten and eighth grade? Do they excel in their teaching through leadership and innovation, bringing new ideas and approaches to teaching about our planet? If so, they may be eligible for the Edward C. Roy Award for Excellence in K-8 Earth Science Teaching. Given annually, this award recognizes one classroom teacher nationwide for his or her leadership and innovation in Earth science education. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA - The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) offers free videos and other electronic resources to help students, educators, and others explore the “big ideas” of Earth science during Earth Science Week 2011 (9-15 October) and throughout the year. Big Ideas videos bring to life the “big ideas” of Earth science. These are the nine core concepts that everyone should know, including “Earth scientists use repeatable observations and testable ideas to understand and explain our planet” and “Earth is continuously changing. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The universe is repulsive, but in a good way. In 2008, while studying bursts of light emitted from exploding stars, newly named Nobel Laureates Adam Riess, Saul Perlmutter and Brian P. Schmidt discovered one of the most mysterious, yet prevalent, components of our universe: dark energy. The three were using the brightness and color from supernovae to determine the speed with which the universe expanded in the past, versus how fast it is expanding now. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — The American Geosciences Institute (AGI) is pleased to announce Dr. Wayne D. Pennington as its new President. He will be inducted at the Geological Society of America Annual Meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Pennington, currently chair of the Department of Geological and Mining Engineering and Sciences at Michigan Technological University, received degrees in Geophysics and Geology from Princeton University (B.A. in 1972), Cornell University (M.S. in 1976), and the University of Wisconsin-Madison (Ph. [Read More]

Alexandria, VA — Law enforcement may have a new crime-solving tool, courtesy of geoscientists. About five years ago, scientists coined the word “isoscape” to describe a new kind of map: a spatial distribution of stable isotope ratios (from elements such as carbon, hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen and strontium) in different parts of the world, based on known ways that these isotopes behave in the environment. Different isotopes tell different stories — carbon can help identify diet, whereas hydrogen and oxygen can help identify provenance (for example, about 30 percent of the hydrogen deposited in a human hair comes from the water or water-based beverages the person drank) — so the combination of different isotopic values into one map creates a far more powerful tool than a map based on any single element. [Read More]